Korea is a worldwide tourist hotspot. In 2011, more than 9 million tourists came to visit Korea: 70 percent of them to shop and 46 percent of them to try various cuisines. One would think that Koreans–people who have everyday access to what foreign people come so far to try–would obviously love living in Korea. However, that is apparently not the case.
In a survey taken with 100 Koreans (conducted by the writer), only 29 percent of Koreans said they enjoyed living in Korea. The other 71 percent stated that they would much rather live in countries such as the United States, which led with 41 percent , or England, which followed with 39 percent. Tisha Kwon, a 16-year-old student at Korea International School, said that “Koreans, especially teenagers, have no diversity. When I walk by the streets, everyone looks the same. They have the same hair, the same clothes…I feel like we are all clones, heading towards the same goals, our sole ambition in life to go to a good university. In America, just walking down a street is like watching a fashion show.”
When asked to give a reason for why living in Korea is undesirable, a whopping 74 percent pointed to the environment (such as lack of beaches, lots of pollution, climate, etc.). Yujin Chong, a 15-year-old student at Korea International School, said, “I want to live somewhere warm; not completely bipolar like Korea…I still find snow in April weird.”
Coming in second with 41 percent was distasteful food, which is ironic taking into consideration that 46 percent of tourists in 2011 came to Korea in search of good cuisine. Next was convenience, with 30 percent, then security, with 15 percent, and finally finance, with 13 percent.
Hans Han, a 16-year-old student at Wonmook Middle School, felt strongly against the financial state of Koreans. “If I could live anywhere, I’d live in Switzerland because I’d be financially better off. First, an average person earns over $60,000 a year in Switzerland, whereas an average person in Korea just earns a little over $25,000. Second, people don’t have to study to become doctors or lawyers, the most popular jobs in Korea. Workers of manufacturing industries are also widely recognized and earn enough to support their families.”
Although Korea is one of the top tourist spots in the world, many Koreans are unhappy with living there. Korea should strive to attain the satisfaction of its very own residents, instead of reaching only the expectations of week-long visitors.
Sun Jae (Jasmine) Lee
Hello. My name is Jasmine Lee, and I am a junior attending Korea International School. I have lived in California for six to seven years and I love writing. 🙂
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